First Light: Book one of the Torus Saga

by Berg, Michael

  “Well, we are both in the same club now. That chase was a stuff up. I thought they would get me with those bloody tracker dogs.”

  “Well. Which way do we turn?” Tobias said as they stopped on a street corner waiting for an historic cable car to amble past. “Left to the wharves, or right to China Town?”

  “Let’s go the wharves. I want to get some fresh air tonight.”

  “Right. Wharves it is.” They continued on downhill, past Coit Tower clearly visible to their right, with three dimensional laser projection beams streaking skyward from its’ top.

  John cast a glance westwards towards the Golden Gate Bridge and was astounded to see a large flotilla of craft under the bridge. “Hey, check that out.”

  “Gee, looks serious. What is going on?”

  “I figured there was going to be something serious after seeing those jets earlier. Now seeing this, I am convinced.”

  They continued downhill towards the wharf precinct noticing large numbers of people seemed to be doing the same. As they arrived, there was a crowd much larger than the usual late night partygoers gathered about. Most were in groups talking amongst themselves whilst looking seaward to the gathering under the bridge. Others were celebrating in the style befitting to the area, but were far outnumbered. The two men decided on a small bar less crowded than the rest. They bought a beer each then found a table outside where they too discussed the spectacle before them. It was clear to anyone some type of event was unfolding due to the sheer numbers of water craft gathered in the one place, blocking any transit for water vessels in or out of the bay area.

  “I’m not much one for the news,” John said reaching into his pocket. “But maybe I’ll check out online services and see if there is any information on this.”

  “Didn’t the cab pilot mention something?”

  “Yeah he did. But I expect any news on this stuff will be brief. The authorities are not known for their transparency on these types of affairs.”

  “Similar to that big corporation thing. Sure we get advice on how markets and nations are being shaped and controlled through so called innovations in economics. But, there is seldom anything tangible that could be seen as a true proviso of what the actual intent is.”

  “I have to agree there. They tell us corporations are being kept in check and governmental control is for the best interests of the people, and most buy the line. But you cannot tell me mandatory microchip insertion for every citizen is a ‘best interest’ thing.”

  “It might do a lot of them some good though.”

  “Ha. You are right there.” John switched his holographic phone to online news and the three-dimensional holographic newsreader appeared on the table.

  “…so authorities advise. Latest information suggests all citizens should be prepared for nationally significant events to arise over the coming days and to expect some restrictions to come into place. The recent detonations and some information the government will not specify has rendered all international travel subject to authority, with exceptions only for personnel assigned to special duties or pre-designated missions permitted to continue under these alert conditions. These missions include scientific persons, police, military associates, executive corporate, and essential infrastructure and services. All other persons are advised international travel other than for these purposes, requires application for approval through city central authority offices.”

  “Nationally significant events?” John shut the phone service down. “Sounds typical and evasive.”

  “Hey let’s leave it then for a while. We are here to socialize and take some time to forget this stuff.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I have been too wrapped up in it for the past few days.”

  Whilst they sat enjoying their beers, two women took a table nearby John and Tobias. One of them caught Tobias’ eye as she sat down giving him a faint smile. They both looked to be in their mid twenties, fit, and quite attractive. Tobias took the initiative telling John they should go and join them, so they both approached the other table.

  “Good evening,” Tobias said politely. “May we sit with you please? My buddy and I have been hard at work over the past few days and would certainly enjoy some delightful company for a conversation.”

  “Um…well, why not,” one of the women replied. “You’re not dangerous are you?”

  “Ha, dangerous. Well only when we need to be I suppose.” Tobias and John took up a chair each joining the women. “Hi. I’m Tobias and this is a mate of mine John.”

  “Hello Tobias. I am Asper and this is my best friend Lorraine.”

  “Hello Asper and Lorraine,” Tobias said shaking each of their offered hands.

  “Hi Asper. Hi Lorraine,” John repeated the same.

  The four of them sat talking for a while until Tobias went off to get the next round of drinks.

  “So what have you two been working on?” Asper asked John.

  “Oh this and that. Some electronics work mostly about developing new technology.”

  “What is it for?”

  “Systems integration mostly. But hey, that is probably too high end for us to be talking about now.”

  “Um…not so,” Lorraine said. “Both Asper and I work on data management which sort of ties in with systems integration.”

  “I see. Then perhaps you can get your head around what we do.”

  “Sure, we are both versatile and like to take new things on board. So what do you think of this stuff going on? In the news I mean, and those craft out near the bridge?”

  “A bit weird isn’t it,” John replied. “Typical though, we don’t get any real details for a decent view into what is happening. I suspect they want to hold their hand pretty close to their chest and save any real information ending up in the wrong hands.”

  “You would think that. Where we work, there are strict secure lines for all to follow,” Asper chimed in. “Sometimes it is like we feel as if they see us as a threat.”

  Tobias returned with the next round of drinks, handed them out and then sat down. “So what you all talking about?”

  “Mostly work stuff Tobias,” Lorraine said.

  “Ah. John and I came out tonight to get away from work. What do you do?”

  “Data systems management.” At this, Tobias cast a quick sideways glance to John who immediately recognized his intent.

  “Where do you live?”

  “We share a place not too far from Haight Street. Do you know that area?”

  “Yes, and its’ history,” Tobias said with a wry smile. “That’s where the hippy movement started around one hundred and twenty years ago. I wonder if there are any of those old hippies left.” They all laughed and the conversation then took a more casual turn.

  Over the next hour they discussed various topics, each in turn, taking on a slant as the four of them consumed more alcohol. By the time they reached an impasse, the time had gone past two in the morning.

  “Well…what, um what do we do now?” John slurred.

  “Let’s go somewhere else, I like a variety in life,” Asper answered. “Variety is, um the spice of life so they say.” They left the bar, which seemed to have grown in the number of patrons, which was a little unusual given the hour.

  “Let’s grab the car up Hyde Street then,” Lorraine said taking John by the arm. The others followed and they staggered a little for the next quarter mile until they had reached the bottom of the infamous hill. A minute later, the historic car took them up the hill, the spread of the bay gradually expanding as they all hung off the standing platform to the rear.

  “You guys sure are nice,” Asper said as they disembarked the car at the top of the hill. “Why don’t we just go back to our place for a while? We have more drinks there.”

  “Sure, come with us, Asper and I would love you to come.”

  “OK.”

  “Cool with me,” Tobias added.

  **********

  Captain Steve McCray was now in command of t
he US military facility HAARP in Alaska. Events over the past few days had seen this normally quiet station, transform into a military hub, working in tandem with the nearby base located at Palmer. He could feel the pressure rising given the situation and so ordered his personnel about expecting strict compliance and immediate action. Five HyperJets were at the ready for scramble at any time, each capable of mach eight.

  McCray was a man of action demanding the best of all resources at his disposal as part of his dedication in fulfilling the expectations of his senior officers. As he stared out the station window at the jets standing at the ready, he went through all the procedures he had been trained to execute in circumstances like these. Such a heightened military alert level without any clear evidence of who the enemy was frustrated him. Being one for detail, this ambiguity left him a little nervous, and so he had been taking this out on his personnel, giving stern and short commands. He turned around after hearing footsteps behind him, to see a communications officer waiting to report. “What is it officer?”

  “Sir. We have advice from central command that we are to receive a special weapons cache at zero six hundred hours today.”

  “I had a feeling we might. What are the details of this cache?”

  “I cannot advise sir. Command has placed top-level restrictions on this information due to the sensitive nature of proceedings. We are advised to take delivery and hold, awaiting further orders sir.”

  “Great…” he trailed off in thought. ‘Just what I bloody need, more uncertainty.’ “Are any special ops assigned to accompany this material?”

  “Yes sir. There will be a team of seven arriving with the cache. Four weapons operators, two science officers, and one unit command officer sir.”

  “Why us. Why not Palmer?”

  “Command advises two such caches and accompanying teams are being sent to Palmer sir. We are advised of this in order to coordinate any offensive action required sir.”

  “Alright officer, return to station. We have three and a half hours.”

  McCray hit the communications device on his tunic. “Attention all officers on duty for zero six hundred. We are to receive further hardware at this time. I expect all designated personnel to be on full standby to receive further instructions at zero five hundred hours.”

  **********

  Asper, Lorraine, John, and Tobias all laughed together, each of them becoming increasingly swept away with the effects of alcohol. Lorraine gave John a hug after taking her shot at a game of pool whilst she was on her way to the lounge room bar. He responded tightly, feeling her warmth and feminine shape pressed against him. She looked into his eyes and suddenly kissed him, prolonging their embrace a little further.

  “Hey you two,” Asper laughed as she took her shot in the game of doubles.

  “Hey you yourself,” Lorraine replied.

  A couple of hours went by as they played pool, drank some more, and spent time in conversation before John decided it was time to take leave. “I think Tobias and I should get going. The sun is coming up.”

  “Leave now?” Asper grabbed Tobias. “I won’t let him go.”

  “Yeah stay some more,” Lorraine added giving John another hug.

  Tobias looked at John, his face saying that he would like to stay. John took this message and figured they could leave it sometime before they needed to go. “OK, open another bottle then.”

  Asper giggled as Lorraine went to the bar for a new bottle of wine. “How’s this, you like red?”

  “I do,” Tobias said. “Open it up. I’m sure John will indulge some more.”

  They were nearly finished with the bottle when their impulses took over. Lorraine and John retired to her room, leaving Asper and Tobias alone in the lounge. Swept away with alcohol-induced urges, they embraced each other passionately. When the kiss ended, Asper grabbed another bottle and took it with her as she led Tobias to her room.

  Chapter 13

  Raynie was fascinated with the market place in the city of Dunhuang. She hurried about looking for items to spark her interest, which she promptly purchased and added to the bag on her shoulder. They had spent the afternoon going through the city center doing the things typical tourists would do in such a place. Careful to appear as ordinary as possible, they had also changed prior to leaving their motel, so as to fit in and not attract attention by wearing the Geiga suits. Jake then decided it was time to eat and talk as the colors of sunset began in the western sky. All the wanderings had made him hungry and upon this suggestion, he was greeted with unanimous agreement as the others suddenly realized their own hunger. Casting a glance along the city’s main street, he saw a restaurant on the next block and so indicated they should all follow him there.

  The atmosphere inside was cool and dark with ornaments adorning nearly every available space. Lanterns cast a low light sufficient only to illuminate each table and booth, adding a sense of mystery to the scene. Jake led them to a booth table and as they sat, a waiter greeted them. They placed their order and were then left to themselves.

  “This is quite a place. Nice choice Jake,” Raynie said breaking the momentary silence.

  “Something caught my eye as soon as I saw it. Did you notice the doorway as we came in? The figurines on the posts on each side reminded me a little of the dragons we saw at the pagoda yesterday.”

  “Yeah, I saw those,” Lyle responded. “Perhaps though, such figures are common place.”

  “The land of dragons.”

  “Show us what you bought,” Jenna said to Raynie.

  “I just bought a few things as I didn’t want to be weighed down with a horde of goodies. I bought some small trinkets and charms, and a few other ornamental items. Here take a look.” Raynie reached into her bag and emptied the contents on the table for them all to see. Amongst the items, was a small bracelet featuring a string of Chinese lettering that could be a message or perhaps a proverb, so common in this culture.

  “See this,” she said holding it up. “I bought it from an old man at a stall half hidden away in the corner of the market place. He said it was for the acceptance of wisdom or something. Not so much a charm, rather an item of destiny. As soon as he said that I just had to have it.”

  “An item of destiny. I have come across a number of such things in my work,” Lyle added. “It does look genuine, not like some tourist souvenir.” He held it up to his face and by chance it framed his left eye.

  “Look, his destiny is foretold through his eye apparent,” Jenna laughed.

  “Perhaps it is,” Raynie added. “The forces of destiny are to behold. Tell us oh wise one, what do you see?”

  “I see four people wandering the desert sands. Two couples make four and together they shall be as ordained in the comic cycle of deliverance.” With this he turned to his right and gave Jenna a quick kiss. They all laughed, with Raynie and Jake eyes meeting for more than a quick glance.

  “Ah, destiny may indeed be foretold through the eye of the bracelet. I saw that you two,” Jenna said.

  The waiter then returned to the table with their order, distracting them and they began to eat in earnest. He noticed the bracelet as Lyle put it on the table next to Raynie. “Ah. Order of the Dragon. Seek knowledge I see. You will meet great teacher soon.”

  “Can you read the letters?” Raynie asked.

  “Yes. Dragon of great wisdom will bequeath upon you tasks and discovery in your life. See here, this is dragon of great wisdom and these tell of what you will encounter for higher knowledge.”

  “Thanks. I think I will wear it now.” Raynie interrupted her meal to put on the bracelet, which was a perfect fit.

  “See. It fits you as if it is meant to be.” The waiter then left them to their meal.

  When they had finished eating, they all felt relaxed and content just to sit a while, have a few drinks, talk about their journey so far, and what may lie ahead.

  “I suppose we just need to search the city in the right places to find the man with the dragon he
ad tattoo Chan told us about,” Lyle was considering their options. “But he did say old town and then the caves.”

  They sat for a while longer as the sun gradually slipped below the horizon and the city took on an enchanted feeling. By the time they left it was after seven in the evening and so they decided to wander the old town and look for anything they might find interesting. The market place had come into its’ night time life where food sellers and musicians made for a festive atmosphere, and shoppers had mostly given way to people out in the old town to experience the festive traits of this ancient Chinese city. Tourists and locals occupied the streets, each looking for the moment to make the night memorable.

  As they walked amongst the crowd, bustled here and there by exuberant groups, street dancers, and by food sellers trying to convince them on the merits of their produce, a group of three men were searching for a particular person. These men had intent to find their target and quietly take him out of the scene as their captive.

  In one instant, they were upon the group of four, eyeing them with a hint of suspicion. It was as if something told them they had all met before but such was their uncertainty, after a moment they decided the four of them were mere travelers amongst the many on the city streets that night.

  After the earlier encounter they had discussed the men briefly, with all agreeing they must be the men they had encountered in the desert. Moving on, the four of them continued to scout the market place area looking for any sign of the person they sought. An hour had passed as they made their way around searching the many faces illuminated by the dazzle of the night-lights, and those half hidden in the mysterious shadows cast by the many various lights.

  “Well. Our search seems to be going nowhere. Perhaps we should split into two groups and meet back here again later,” Lyle suggested.

  “Good idea. I’ll take Raynie and check the street over there,” Jenna agreed, pointing to her right. “It looks like there are a few old establishments. Perhaps they could be hiding some secrets.”